Leeds City College
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LEEDS CITY COLLEGE HIGHER EDUCATION SCHEME
LLB (Honours)
COURSE HANDBOOK
2016/17 Contents
1 Welcome to the College…………………………………………… Pg 3 - 5
2 About your course………………………………………………….. Pg 6 - 14
3 Student Support System………………………………………….. Pg 15 - 17
4 Your responsibilities as a student……………………………. Pg 18 - 20
5 Assessment…………………………………………………………… Pg 21 - 27
6 Academic and student regulations…………………………… Pg 28 - 30
7 Quality control……………………………………………………….. Pg 31 - 32
8 Have your say ……………..……………………………...... Pg 33 - 34
9 Where to get help………………………………………………….. Pg 35 - 37
10 College HE Calendar……………………………………Appendix 1
11 Learning Outcome grids………………………………Appendix 2
12 Assessment grids……………………………………….Appendix 3
13 Assessment timetable…………………………………Appendix 4
Page | 2 1 Welcome to the College
1.1 Welcome from the Principal
I am delighted to have this opportunity to welcome you to Leeds City College. Thank you for choosing to study a Higher Education course with us.
Our provision continues to be commended externally. In a recent HE inspection, carried out by the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency in May 2016 (The QAA inspects all Universities and colleges) the high quality of our HE programmes was confirmed and it was noted that our approach to supporting and facilitating scholarly activity and the implementation of our new Virtual Learning Environment were areas of good practice.
We regularly seek the views of our students on the quality of their courses and use this information to make improvements. Student satisfaction is consistently high, with students commenting on the level of support provided and the quality of feedback they receive on their work.
At Leeds City College we know that the whole HE experience is at the heart of student success. That’s why, in addition to the actual teaching and learning experience, our campuses have a friendly, supportive atmosphere and we offer a range of support services which cater for individual needs.
We hope you enjoy your time with us.
Colin Booth Chief Executive & Principal
1.2 Welcome to Leeds City College
Welcome to Leeds City College and the School of HE and Professional Studies. In particular, welcome to the LLB (Hons) course
This handbook provides you with information about your LLB Honours course (which is validated by Teesside University), the school, your responsibilities as a student,
Page | 3 support available to you, in addition to information about assessment and other regulatory issues.
Now that you have enrolled, our aim is to offer you all possible help and support to enable you to gain the qualification, prepare you to be successful in the legal vocation.
The team is looking forward to meeting you and hopes that your time in Leeds is both enjoyable and successful.
Best wishes to you in your future studies.
Caroline Burrows-Burke Programme Manager
1.3 Which School is my course in?
The school is made up of Higher Education, Professional Part-time and route-ways to work. The School Director is Janet Faulkner and the Head of Department is Ann Quintana, who oversees the Management and Professional area.
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive range of Education, Training and Personal Development programmes that satisfy the needs of individuals and organisations. We are the only faculty that can offer programmes of learning from foundations level to degree, and beyond, to level 7, (first level MBA).
With Leeds being the UK’s fastest growing city, and classed as the UK’s biggest financial and business services centre outside of London, the Faculty is focused on offering courses which encompass the needs of employers and learners and enhance the skills offered to those going on to work in industry and commerce. Some of our Professional programmes hold Centre of Excellence status.
We cover learning in Leadership and management, Law and Legal Studies, Human Resources, Accountancy, Credit Management, Marketing, Retail, Purchasing and Supply.
As a school within Leeds City College we have developed to provide a mix between training and education, to improve the technical knowledge and skills for organisations in the city region, national and international area. Our programmes range from traditional professional courses, to bespoke training based on training needs analysis. We offer programmes of learning to those businesses individuals who need it and accredit existing in-house company courses. Businesses use our training to develop the skills required to achieve their goals. Individuals use us to further their career prospects and income. Organisations which have taken advantage of our courses include Yorkshire Bank PLC, NHS Teaching Hospitals and Leeds City/Rotherham Council, among many others.
1.4 What facilities are available?
Page | 4 Your course will be delivered in the University Centre at the Park Lane site. Recently refurbished, the centre provides a hub for your HE studies. You will also have access to the learning centre facilities and cafeteria. The LLB will be delivered in dedicated departmental rooms with interactive teaching aids. You will be given full access to the Virtual Learning Environment ‘Google Classrooms’, with the aid of a Chromebook.
1.5 What can I do once I graduate?
Our graduates will hold a qualifying law degree, and be able to progress to a LPC or BPTC course to begin the qualifying route to becoming a solicitor or barrister. Additionally, in the final year of the LLB, our students will have the opportunity to become dual qualified by choosing to work towards the CILEx Graduate Fasttrack Diploma. Our graduates will therefore be able to apply for Legal Executive jobs with rights of audience in the lower court, without further study.
Further possibilities for progression include a qualification through the National Association of Licensed Paralegals Level 7, other academic studies or related employment. The LLB (Honours) is an extremely well regarded qualification in industry, and can open up many possibilities in terms of graduate opportunities and schemes worldwide.
Page | 5 2 About your course
2.1 Welcome to the course
Welcome to the LLB (Hons) programme. The qualifying degree is an excellent stepping stone to either further your studies in law or seek employment in the legal sector.
The award is a balance between the employability and professional development skills essential for a Law Degree and the technical modules needed for qualifying status.
The award is devised with reference to external benchmarking to develop the curriculum and other external reference bodies to promote an integrated multi-agency framework approach to teaching, learning and assessment related to the legal sector.
2.2 Aims of the course
The LLB (Hons) aims to:
Deliver a rigorous education experience in the discipline of law and inculcate the highest standards in clarity, integrity and objectivity Enable students to develop an understanding of the nature of law and the theoretical and multi-disciplinary influences on its development Develop students’ analytical, problem-solving and critical skills in relation to the creation, interpretation, application and development of law Provide the opportunity to study a wide range of challenging and vocationally relevant law modules and engage in extended research and study specialist law modules Provide the opportunity to study professional Chartered Institute of Legal Executives modules and the Graduate Fast Track Diploma Produce graduates who are equipped for training and employment in the legal profession and in other fields of employment or to undertake postgraduate study
It may be useful to explain some terms that apply to the programme. This handbook is concerned with the Single Honours 3-year full time programme. “Qualifying” for these purposes means that the degree affords exemption from the “academic stage of training” for both the Bar Council (the governing body for barristers) and the Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority (the governing body for solicitors). For both branches of the profession you need to undertake a further course of study which is called the “vocational stage of training” before you can begin the practical stage of training for either profession. In order for a law degree to be “qualifying” it must include the seven “foundation subjects”: Contract, Criminal Law, Public Law (our module is called Citizen and the State), Tort, Land Law, Equity and Trusts and European Union Law; the study of English Legal Method and English Legal System and a minimum of other law related subjects. All of the “foundation “subjects are compulsory. It will be useful to read more about the professions. The regulations regarding qualifying status will be explained in more detail in induction.
http://www.sra.org.uk
http://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
http://[email protected]
Page | 6 2.3 Course Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
The programme will enable students to develop the knowledge and skills listed below. On successful completion of the programme, the student will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
K1 Choose, plan, complete and critically evaluate a negotiated extended piece of work applicable to the legal sector
K2 Demonstrate a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of aspects of substantive law
K3 Analyse and critically evaluate the impact of contemporary legal and ethical issues within the legal sector
K4 Appraise, synthesise and critically evaluate principles of law, legislation and case law to draw justified conclusions Cognitive/Intellectual Skills
C1 Objectively consider established legal principles, case law and legislation using balanced, logical and supported argument
C2 Demonstrate intellectual flexibility and openness to new ideas in relation to substantive law and the legal sector Practical/Professional Skills
P1 Operate ethically and professionally in complex and unpredictable legal problem situations
P2 Competently act autonomously with limited supervision within agreed guidelines Key Transferable Skills
T1 Plan, manage and critically evaluate the acquisition of new legal content and skills to enhance employability within the legal sector
T2 Communicate clearly, fluently and effectively in a range of styles appropriate to the context of the assessment
T3 Communicate clearly, fluently and effectively in an appropriate written style in time constrained conditions
The award aims to provide curricula, informed by external reference points, which develop a range of technical, professional, vocational, employability transferable and key skills appropriate to the level of the award. The aim is to develop lifelong, independent and reflective learners and this will enhance employability and career prospects of learners. Capable and autonomous graduates will be produced who will contribute to the skill base of the local economy and region.
2.4 What will I learn?
Page | 7 LEVEL 4
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Legal Foundations Professional Development
Law of Contract Criminal Law
Law of Tort Citizen and the State
LEVEL 5
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Work Related Learning Legal Research Methods and Skills
Land Law Equity and Trusts
Human Rights European Union Law
LEVEL 6
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Client Care (option)
Criminal Litigation (Option) Civil Litigation (Option)
Commercial Law (option) Dissertation (Core)
Family and Child Law (option)
Immigration Law (option)
Criminal Justice (option)
At Level 6, in addition to the Dissertation module which is compulsory, four options need to be chosen. NB we cannot guarantee that all option modules will be available every year – This will depend on student numbers and choices within each group.
Page | 8 Level 4 (Year 1)
Legal Foundations
This module provides the foundations you will need in order to study effectively all the other law modules on the programme. It will introduce you to the English Legal System and equip you with the essential methods and skills, including the legal research and writing skills you need to study law at undergraduate level. The module will also develop key skills and will begin with the process of enabling you to reflect critically on your own performance.
Law of Contract
The Law of Contract is one of the most fundamental aspects of law and underpins other modules such as Commercial Law. Contracts are things that we all encounter every day. All contracts are agreements but not all agreements are contracts. This module will begin with the study of the elements which distinguish purely informal agreements from those which are enforceable in law. The law of contract has many established principles for allocating responsibility when problems happen and the module will cover these.
Law of Tort
This module will cover a range of civil actions that fall within the area of tort and which consider the idea of compensation. This module develops your understanding of the way tort seeks to apportion liability and award damages to compensate the injured party. There will be coverage of negligence which is one of the most prominent areas of tortious liability and development of academic and reflection skills.
Criminal Law
The criminal law presents an interesting and challenging area of study. This is the module you will be most familiar with if you have not studied law before. You will be introduced to the nature of criminal conduct and the basic elements of a crime. These will then be placed in the context of some specific offences for example non- fatal offences and homicide. General defences will also be considered in light of their effect on criminal liability.
Citizen and the State
In this module you will look at the structure and functions of the State and the relationship between the State and the individual. The nature of the UK constitution will be looked at and you will gain an insight into the extent to which the power of the State is now exercised by Parliament and the Government and into the controls which are available on the way in which the power is exercised
Professional Development
This very significant module focuses on the development of you both academically and professionally and on the importance of this development. The legal sector will be discussed and contemporary legal and ethical issues discussed. This module is the
Page | 9 beginning of your continuous professional development. Transferable skills will be looked at and the significance of developing employability skills will be covered.
Level 5 (Year 2)
Equity and Trusts
You will begin this module by considering the development of Equity alongside the common law to provide justice in cases where either the law provided no remedy or the remedy was inadequate. You will begin to understand the importance of the remedies provided by equity in civil actions today.
Human Rights
You will examine the relationship between the individual and the State in this very interesting module and will also develop awareness of the ways in which the State can be held accountable for the use and misuse of power. There will be much debate and discussion of topical issues so as to further develop analysis and critical evaluation of contemporary concerns.
Legal Research Method and Skills
In this module you will concentrate on developing your research and presentation skills, so that you are well prepared to begin your dissertation in year 3. There will be practical exercises so that you become familiar with the different types of research methods which serve as very useful skills for the future. There will also be a focus on further developing your verbal presentation skills.
Work Related Learning
This important module focuses on a knowledge and awareness of the legal sector and contemporary practices. You will be encouraged to critically analyse the sector and develop your employability skills, focusing on independence and reflection. There will be coverage of current legal and ethical issues within the sector and current and future opportunities. The aim is to discuss and develop areas that will be of great use when you seek employment.
Land Law
This very useful module will allow you to appreciate key areas of land law. This will involve the nature of property rights and ownership of land. You will also develop a critical awareness of ownership of land, easements and covenants and further develop your academic and reflection skills.
European Union Law
This module will introduce you to the institutions to the European Union and in particular the institutions that are involved in making law and interpreting law. You will explore the way in which European Union law works and the way it impacts on the legal system of the UK. You will then consider the law in relation to the movement of goods.
Level 6 (Year 3)
Page | 10 Dissertation (core)
This is your chance and opportunity to make a contribution to the sum of legal knowledge. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor and in the module you have the opportunity to express yourself and use all the skills you have acquired during your years of study. You will independently pursue an ethically appropriate area of interest related to the legal sector. It is your chance to choose your topic and content and shine and flourish. It may even be the start of a lifetime of research.
You will have the opportunity to discuss all the options before you make your choice of options. (Options will run subject to sufficient numbers). The following is a brief outline of the areas covered;
Family and Child Law (option)
This module develops an understanding of the fundamental principles of Family and Child Law, placing these in the context of rapidly changing value systems, state intervention and regulation of the individual in the family.
Commercial Law (option)
This interesting and useful module explores the company as a form of business organisation. You will develop a critical understanding and evaluation of the company and focus on academic discussion and debate.
Client Care (option)
This practical module will develop the skills which are key to the fundamental area of client care and will develop skills which will further enhance your practical and employability skills. There will be a focus on a critical understanding of practice and good practice in client care.
Civil Litigation (option)
This practical module will develop knowledge and understanding of civil law advice and case work. The focus will be on a critical coverage of the processes and procedures and will be of tremendous use in the future if you pursue this area.
Criminal Litigation (option)
This practical module will develop knowledge and understanding of criminal law advice and case work. You will be encouraged to critically evaluate the processes and procedures and this will be valuable if you pursue this area of interest or work.
Immigration Law (option)
This interesting module will focus on the underpinning knowledge and understanding of Immigration Law and policy. You will be encouraged to analyse and critically evaluate current law and related ethical issues. There is much scope for topical debate and discussion.
Page | 11 Criminal Justice (option)
This module explores the criminal justice sector, related agencies and the concept of criminology. Current issues on policing, sentencing and punishment will be discussed and analysed.
2.5 How will I be taught?
A mixture of lectures, tutorials and seminars will be used. The lecture programme will impart the necessary principles and concepts. The seminars will be a mixture of student and tutor led sessions considering practical examples of the principles and concepts. The tutorials will take the form of individual support and feedback for students by tutors or other students. Tutor led sessions will be held to provide an opportunity for students to work on examples and case studies in the areas covered by the lectures.
Student-led tutorials will consist of action learning activities, discussion groups and report-back sessions which allow students to develop their research, communication and teamwork skills.
A range of teaching and learning methods are employed as appropriate to the level and topic.
Whole cohort lecture sessions will be predominantly used to deliver information and develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the law and legal concepts being covered. Lectures will often be used to introduce new topics and consolidate main principles. Lectures may be supplemented through on-line materials and activities on Google Classroom. Lectures will be reinforced by a variety of methods, for example, students will be expected to supplement lectures by additional reading, research and preparation for seminars.
In seminars you build on the knowledge and understanding acquired in lectures and develop your skills of analysis and critical evaluation. Seminars are intended to extend you and allow you to progressively develop your ability to analyse, evaluate and apply law in a variety of different ways. Seminars will also provide the opportunity to develop a number of other skills depending on the module and the exercises undertaken. You may work in teams in tackling problem solving activities, may present your work to the group orally or peer review a colleague’s. Some seminars may adopt a practical workshop approach which will give the opportunity to focus on skills based learning, in particular skills of advocacy, interviewing, research and legal writing. Formative assessments will be used in seminars and feedback and feedforward given so as to facilitate progressive development. High quality and timely feedback on formative assessments will form an important aspect of the assessment strategy and will be evident in all modules.
The learning process is designed to be developmental and the expectations of achievement at each level. There is a focus on progressive development of legal skills, including research, analysis, critical evaluation and employability skills.
In addition to tutorials, in some modules pastoral tutorials and group tutorials are provided for all students. Various teaching methods will be used to enhance the
Page | 12 experience and enjoyment of the modules. For example, presentations, peer assessment of presentations and written answers, case notes, mock exam questions and interactive activities will be used in Tort. Feedback and feedforward will be given on all activities. Moots, quiz activities and students reporting back on the findings of visits will be used in the Legal Foundations module. The visits will be to the Magistrates Court, Crown Court, Combined Courts, Employment Tribunal and Coroners Court. Student-led tutorials will also be used and these will consist of action learning activities, discussion groups and report-back sessions that will allow students to develop research, communication and teamwork skills. Guest speakers will also be used in the modules to further expand on awareness of the legal sector. These will be local practitioners in both civil and criminal litigation. Other examples of the different teaching and learning methods include the use of debates in Criminal law and European Law, multiple choice questions and role play activities in Contract law and Oscola activities in Criminal law and Legal Research Method and Skills. Debates and role play will be used in Criminal Justice, Immigration Law and Client Care and case studies in Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation.
The opportunities for eLearning within the college are strong with a background in the use of VLEs and the introduction of Google Classroom. The eLearning team support staff in the use of this and there are eLearning Mentors specifically for the support of Law and Legal Services. Staff have made good use of this VLE and there have been positive comments from students about how it has enhanced their learning. The aim is to ensure all students have access to technology to enhance and manage their learning with appropriately skilled staff. E-learning is integrated within the curriculum where appropriate and will be used to enhance teaching, learning and assure academic standards. The use of elearning is increasing and is evident in the use of multiple choice questions in the Contract module, Oscola activities in Criminal law and Legal Research Method and Skills, interactive activities in Land law, Tort and Family and Child Law and Discussion Boards in Criminal law, Equity and Trusts and Commercial Law. Moodle support and activities is also part of the Programme.
The degree course is Higher Education and you must make your own notes. You need to write enough to ensure you have a good understanding of the subject, as a starting point for further reading and research and as a basis for your assignment work. A good set of notes, built up week by week, is the most valuable learning resource of all.
2.6 How will I be assessed?
Assessment methods will vary according to the needs of the different modules and the level at which they are being taught. Assessment methods include examinations (seen and unseen, open and closed book), coursework, moot, project and presentations.
Formative assessment, with high quality and prompt feedback, is integral to the modules and there will be a number of opportunities for formative assessment and
Page | 13 feedback and feedforward in all law modules, examples include scenario questions, timed questions, discussion boards, presentations and mocks.
In-course and end course assignment work weighted according to the level and module includes: essay production of varying word length, problem solving tasks of increasing complexity, case notes, presentations, discussion boards, written and oral, with and without appropriate aids, individual and group prepared. Examinations are weighted appropriately and range from incorporating seen and compulsory questions through pre released case study based examinations and prior indication of topics to traditional unseen restricted choice papers. Examinations will include a range of essay and problem based questions of varying lengths and complexity.
See Appendix 3 for Assessment Grids
The LLB (Hons) is a qualifying law degree. Qualifying status will apply to all the foundation law modules that you pass without the need for compensation. If you are compensated in a foundation law module then qualifying status will not apply to that module.
It is extremely important that you make an attempt at each assessment for every module. This provides evidence that you have engaged in your studies throughout the year. Please note that if you have not made an attempt on all assessments on your course you may not be allowed to undertake resits as the examination board could regard you as not having engaged with your course of studies.
IT IS BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND THEREFORE THE “QUALIFYING STATUS” OF YOUR DEGREE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS YOU MAY HAVE TO PASS AN ASSESSMENT IS 3, AND ALL FOUNDATION SUBJECTS MUST BE PASSED.
You will have opportunities to engage in a range of activities in addition to your studies during your time at Leeds City College including volunteering, student societies, playing in College sports teams and being a student academic representative.
Page | 14 3 Student Support System
3.1 Who is going to teach me?
Your module lecturers are the members of the College staff who you will have most contact with. Their job is to manage and deliver their part (module) of your programme of study, assess and grade your work, and also give you continuous feedback on how you’re doing.
Lecturers aim to develop adult, professional relationships with students. You are encouraged to voice any concerns that you might have about your work with the lecturer concerned.
Our job is to do all we can to help you succeed but we can’t do this unless you talk to us about anything that is worrying you.
You will be allocated a personal tutor whose job it is to deal with any problems that can’t be settled at lecturer level, plus more general concerns that you might have, for example any problems you might have which may be affecting your work.
The Programme Manager has overall responsibility for the running of the Degree and the well-being of the students.
Nicola Johnson
[email protected] Nicola is a Solicitor and experienced lecturer with a specialist interest in Family and Child law and Human Rights. Nicola is the Head of Higher Education within Management & Professional. Nicola’s research interests include family law and practice.
Sarah Waite
[email protected] Sarah has a Masters degree in addition to her LLB, and a specialist interest in Criminal Law, Criminal Justice and Youth Justice. She is also the Programme Manager of the CILEx and Access to Law Provision within the department. Sarah’s research interests include criminal justice and the penal system.
Page | 15 Ann Quintana
[email protected] Ann is an experienced Lecturer and online tutor and BSc and MSc Examiner at the College of Estate Management at Reading University. Ann is Head of the Department of Management & Professional. Ann’s research interests include planning law.
Caroline Burrows-Burke
[email protected] Caroline has taught within the department for four years on a range of programmes, including both HE and professional qualifications. Caroline is Programme Manager for the LLB and Foundation Degree in Law and Criminal Studies. Caroline’s research interests include feminist jurisprudence & human rights.
Katie King
[email protected] Katie has recently completed her BPTC in addition to her fully qualifying LLB. Katie teaches on a range of programmes and modules, with a specialism in litigation and advocacy. Katie’s research interests include developments in litigation and comparative perspectives on law and morality.
For each module, the module leader will set out the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you, which may be by e-mail or notices posted on the Google Classroom page.
3.2 What study facilities are available in the Library+
The library+ centres at Leeds City College contain a range of services to help you with your studies:
An extensive collection of books and other publications. Journals and e-resources.
Page | 16 Access to computers with printing allowances allocated to individuals. A very helpful team of staff who will be happy to help you gain the maximum benefit from the services. A dedicated member of staff for your award. Full details of the range of facilities available at each of the college campuses.
PLEASE NOTE : You will need to register with Library+ in order to be able to use the facilities, including the computers. To do this you will need your student ID card which you were issued with when you enrolled.
How can I get help and advice?
Each course has a specific Academic Librarian who has detailed knowledge about your chosen subject. He or she will buy all the resources for your subject in the library and will teach you how to make the most of the information available to you during your course. You will meet your Academic Librarian at your induction. Further help is available at the Help and Information Point in each Library.
Page | 17 4 Your responsibilities as a student
4.1 What are my responsibilities?
It is your responsibility as a student to comply with the scheme, course and module requirements for attendance and for completion of assessments. This includes meeting deadlines for assessments. In order to achieve this, you should be aware of the following Core Principles:
Be Respectful – For example, ensure your interactions are always respectful and professionally conducted and College facilities are appropriately used.
Be Sensitive – For example, be aware of your language and behaviour to ensure it respects others and recognises diversity.
Be Understanding – For example, ensure there is mutual respect by listening to others (be aware your voice may be more easily heard in some venues than others).
Be Punctual – For example, make sure you arrive, start and finish on time. Let the appropriate person know if you are delayed. To avoid disruption to others, late entry to a session/appointment may not be possible.
Be There – For example, actively participate to get the most out of the time available.
Be Prepared – For example, make sure you have done the necessary preparatory work. If insufficient preparation has been done it may not be possible for the planned activity to take place. Students who have attempted but had difficulty with preparatory work should bring this to the attention of the relevant staff member.
Be Considerate – For example, use mobile phones and electronic devices with an awareness of how this might impact on others.
(Taken from the Teesside University ‘A Guide to Promoting a Mutually Respectful University Community’, full details of which can be found using the following link http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/docrepo/student%20information/A%20guide%20to %20promoting%20a%20mutually%20respectful%20university%20community.pdf )
Please note that the College has a disciplinary process which can be found at https://intranet/studentzone/zones/front.jsp?deptcode=201&linkid=984
4.2 Where can I find out about general student regulations?
These are available at: http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=student%20regulations
4.3 What if I’m an international student?
Page | 18 There are new requirements relating to immigration procedures in the UK with the introduction of the Points-Based System. Information is available at: http://www.leedscitycollege.ac.uk/courses-apprenticeships/international/
4.4 Are there any guidelines about attendance?
The modules on the course will help you to develop both skills and academic knowledge. Most modules will require you to undertake formative work, which will help you to apply your knowledge and understanding, which in turn will help you to achieve a good grade in the summative assessments. Therefore, it is important that you attend regularly. Research has demonstrated a clear link between attendance and success rates therefore we recommend that a minimum attendance of 80% is maintained.
The college policy is to withdraw a student from a course if they do not attend for 4 consecutive weeks. The Student Loans Company will be informed of your withdrawal and will then stop any future payments to your account. Therefore, it is important that you contact the Programme Manager if you are going to be absent for any length of time.
During your course of study, there will be times when you are not able to attend classes because of illness, personal and domestic crises. It is therefore all the more important that you do attend when you are able to otherwise it is very easy to lose the thread of what is going on and become disheartened.
We do not advise that you take holidays in term time. Please see the college calendar in Appendix 1 for details.
If you are absent you must telephone or email your personal tutor to notify them. Doctor’s notes will be required for absences of more than a couple of days or recurring illness. Please keep your module tutors informed if you are having difficulty attending your classes for whatever reason. We are here to support you but cannot do that unless you keep us informed of problems you are experiencing.
Please note – Those students who are eligible for a bursary will find that their payments will be cancelled if they are not up-to-date with their assessed work. (please see the Bursary Policy on the VLE for full details)
If you are absent through illness immediately prior to an examination or assignment deadline and wish to submit a case for mitigating circumstances, you must provide us with details and any available evidence as soon as possible.
If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline, you must also provide us with details and any available evidence as soon as possible.
Depending on the nature of your illness you may be able to apply for Mitigating Circumstances. For information please follow this link:
http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/DocRepo/Student%20Regulations/Academic %20Regulations/Mitigating%20Circumstances%20Regulations.pdf
You can hand in or send medical certificates to Caroline Burrows-Burke.
Page | 19 Notification of infectious disease
If you have been diagnosed with or have had contact with an infectious disease, you must notify us in writing within 24 hours of diagnosis. You must not return to College until a medical practitioner’s certificate of clearance has been submitted.
4.5 What do I do if I am going to be absent?
In case of absence from College, you should contact Caroline Burrows-Burke on 0113 3087916 or e-mail at [email protected]. You should also inform the tutors that you were due to see that day.
4.6 How do I withdraw from my course?
If you are considering withdrawal from your course you should speak to your personal tutor or the Students’ Union to discuss your reasons. If there is a problem, College or Students’ Union staff may be able to help.
If you decide to withdraw from your course or programme of study, you must notify us in writing. This notification must be sent immediately to your Programme Manager and be copied to the HE Registrar Co-ordinator and the HE Admissions Officer.
4.7 Are there any specific course requirements (e.g. placements, DBS checks)? [Delete if not appropriate]
You are encouraged to find actual work experience whilst on programme. The College can try to assist in finding this work experience, and there are modules where this work experience will become relevant to assessment, for instance the litigation modules at level 6 and the Work Related Learning module at level 5.
4.8 What do I do if I change my details?
Whenever you change your address and contact details, particularly your mobile phone number, you should inform your Programme Manager as soon as possible. This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency.
The school will inform you of cancelled classes as soon as possible via text to the mobile phone number we have for you on our contact records. It is your responsibility to ensure that we have your most up-to-date mobile phone number.
Page | 20 5 Assessment
Your work is assessed in terms of its ability to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the module. You’ll see the exact assessment criteria in each module handbook. The levels of achievement are categorised in percentages.
For each module of study, you will complete summative assessments. In addition, lecturers may set “formative” assessments as part of the learning process. These formative assessments are important as they give you a chance to obtain feedback on your performance before your summative assignments. At the end of the module, a mark is awarded based on the evidence of the summative assessments.
5.1 How will I get my results and feedback on my work?
Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level or awards (if you are in the final level) will be displayed on your course notice board. Your notice board is located in the 3rd floor corridor of University Centre, near to the Management and Professional main office. Results will also be published on Google Classroom.
You will normally receive written comments, verbal feedback or group feedback on your work within 3 working weeks of submission of your work. Your module leader will advise as to the format of the feedback.
Feedback on your progress comes in many different forms including written comments about your work, verbal comments from your tutors in class or on a one-to-one basis, discussions with peers in the classroom or outside it, electronic discussion, emails, feedback grids and generic feedback proformas. Receiving and acting on feedback is a continuous part of your learning experience and will help you to develop knowledge about your strengths and weaknesses and improve your learning and performance. Previous students have advised that it is important that you:
Are not afraid to acknowledge your successes Reflect on the feedback you receive and think about what you have done well and how you could improve. For example, you could keep all of your feedback together and draw up an action plan based on common areas of strength or concern Try not to focus on the mark and ignore the feedback. If you have done well, your feedback will tell you why and if you haven’t, it will suggest ways in which you can improve Consider the marks you are given and if you are disappointed in them, give yourself some time before going back to the feedback to look for ways to improve Try not to take negative feedback personally. It is given to help improve Are not afraid to approach tutors and lecturers for more feedback. Asking questions can be an important part of receiving feedback – and remember, your peers can be a valuable source of information too Use feedback to self-assess your work against the assessment criteria, where possible. This can help you to address any areas you need to improve on.
Page | 21 5.2 Where can I find the University’s assessment regulations?
Your progression from Level 4 to Level 5 and achievement at level 5, and your graduation and classification, are all subject to satisfying the University’s assessment and progression regulations. These regulations are available on the University Website: http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=Quality%20Handbook/D2-APREGS.doc
Click on ‘Student Regulations’ then ‘Academic Regulations’ where you will find ‘Framework for assessment, Award and Progression Regulations’.
5.3 What is the marking scheme?
For each module, you will complete one or two assessments which may contain a number of tasks. In addition, tutors will set ungraded or formative assessments as part of the learning process. These formative assessments are important as they give you a chance to obtain feedback on your performance before your summative assessments. At the end of the module a mark is awarded based on the evidence of the summative assessments. Please refer to Teesside University’s Assessment Regulations which can be found on the link in s5.2 above.
Overall grades – LLB (Hons) In order to determine the overall grade for your foundation degree, the average of the grades you achieved in the second year will be considered and applied as follows:
Degree Classification Percentage First Class 70% - 100% Second Class (upper division) 60% - less than 70% Second Class (lower division) 50% - less than 60% Third Class 40% - less than 50%
The Progression and Award Board will determine the Honours classification considering both stage 2 and stage 3 grades (weighted at 30/70).
Please note that the above table is a guide only. For more specific information regarding grading of modules and awards please follow the link and instructions in s5.2
5.4 Will I have to follow a word limit?
The assessment brief will contain a word limit for your work. You should ensure that you do not submit work over the word limit as this will be penalised.
If you go beyond this limit your work will be penalised by 10% for every 10% you are over the word limit.
For example, if an assessment requires a 1000 word report and you submit a 1,200 report you will be penalised by 20% of the total possible mark. Therefore, if that piece
Page | 22 of work would have received a grade of 62%, following the application of the word count penalty, the work would only receive a grade of 42%.
The reason for this is that it is part of the assessment to work to the word limit. This develops your analytical and evaluative skills as you have to be selective as to which information you include and leave out.
5.5 Academic Appeals
Your module lecturer will explain to you how the criteria have been applied to produce your mark. If you wish to appeal the decision of an Assessment Board, you may do so but only under specific grounds and after your results have been ratified by an Assessment Board. Please note that this is not a procedure to challenge academic judgment. If you feel you have grounds for an academic appeal you will need to contact the Dean of Higher Education to put forward a claim for an academic appeal. Teesside University’s Assessment Regulations can be found at the link in s5.2 above.
Please note: You may not appeal on the grounds of academic judgement.
5.6 How and where do I hand in an assignment?
For each summative assignment a deadline for submission/presentation of the work will be set. Completing the work within this time period and meeting the deadline is part of the assignment.
Work must be handed in according to the instructions given by the module tutor, which will be detailed in the module handbook. In the majority of cases this will be via Turnitin.
Only work that is ready by the agreed deadline can hope to qualify for a good grade.
Only work that is ready by the agreed deadline can hope to qualify for a good grade.
In certain circumstances, it may be possible to submit work by email. This must be agreed with your tutor and is not the usual submission procedure. If your tutor agrees to submission by email it is your responsibility to ensure that the tutor has received the email and can open the attached assignment.
Details on assignment submission will be provided in the Module Handbook for each module.
PLEASE NOTE : Computer failure will not be accepted as a reason for late submission.
Students must submit assignments in the following format. Assignment feedback sheet Assignment task sheet Assignment Bibliography Turnitin report
PLEASE NOTE : Computer failure will not be accepted as a reason for late submission.
Page | 23 PLEASE NOTE : Computer failure will not be accepted as a reason for late submission.
Students must submit assignments in the following format. Assignment feedback sheet Assignment task sheet Assignment Bibliography Turnitin report
5.7 Can I submit a draft?
The following guidelines have been drafted to promote consistency across the Higher Education provision within Leeds City College.
When can I submit a Draft? The latest date for draft submissions to be submitted will be 2 weeks prior to the hand in date for the assessment. You must remember that it could take up to a week for the tutor to give you feedback so you may wish to submit your draft earlier than 2 weeks before the deadline so that you have more time to incorporate the feedback into your work.
How much can I submit? The draft submission should be no longer than 25% of the maximum words for the assessment component e.g. for a 2000 word report a draft of up to 500 words could be submitted.
How many times can I submit a draft? You are allowed to submit one draft submission per assessment component.
What form can the draft take? Draft submissions can consist of:
Assessment plans – so that the tutor can give comments regarding whether you are on the right lines. Extracts – for comments on style. Referencing – for the tutor to check that your referencing style is correct. Reference materials to see if your reading is wide enough for the assessment. Data tables.
The above are examples of what could be submitted and is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Drafts can be submitted electronically or in hard copy.
5.8 What do I do if I can’t meet a deadline for an assignment?
It is the responsibility of all students to attend examinations and to submit work for assessment by the set date.
Extensions to submission date
Page | 24 There may be times when, for reasons outside your control, you have not performed as well as you could in your assessment. Or there may be circumstances that prevent you from submitting a summative assessment on time or attending an examination.
It is important that you discuss your situation as soon as possible with an appropriate member of staff, such as your Module Leader or Programme Manager who will be able to provide you with guidance on the most appropriate course of action from the following list:
A Short Extension of up to 7 days, usually for one module only (not available for a reassessment attempt); A Long Extension up to the end of academic year or end of the assessment period – this is normally only offered to full-time students; A Deferred Submission of up to one calendar year from original submission date – this is normally only available to part-time students; Suspension of study for a period of up to 2 years; Alternatively, if your problems are outside your control, you can apply for Mitigating Circumstances.
If you realise that you are not going to meet the agreed deadline date because of illness or other exceptional circumstance, you must request an extension using the appropriate form. It is important to note that an extension will only be granted when it is clear that exceptional circumstances have prevented you from completing your work on time. Please make sure that you follow the guidance provided on the form and attach appropriate evidence, if required.
NB Extensions are an exception rather than the norm.
Please note that short extensions are only available for first submissions.
If extensions are granted, your work will be marked as if it was handed in on time. Work that is late and which is not covered by extensions or mitigation will be penalised in accordance with the University regulations.
You may approach the Programme Manager who will advise you on the evidence required for a successful extension request.
Late submission
If you submit work after the submission date without approval, but submit it within seven days it will be capped at 40%. Any work submitted after 7 days will receive a mark of 0%.
5.9 What if I have extenuating circumstances and require a longer extension?
What follows is a brief summary of the University’s Extenuating Circumstances Regulations (Taught Components and Programmes) available at:
http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=student
Select ‘Student Regulations’ then ‘Academic Regulations’
Page | 25 You are strongly recommended to read these Regulations. They provide a detailed explanation of Extenuating Circumstances and the procedures expected to be followed when you feel that your performance in a summative assessment has been affected.
Extenuating Circumstances are defined as unforeseen and unpreventable circumstances outside the control of the student, which have significantly affected performance and/or attendance in a summative assessment and could not have been remedied in the time available.
The University recognises that there may be times when your circumstances are such that you cannot complete assessments to the best of your ability, are unable to attend an examination, or are unable to meet an assessment deadline due to adverse circumstances beyond your control. In such circumstances the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations enable you to request that your situation is taken into consideration. You are expected to have taken reasonable steps to ensure that you could not have prevented the circumstances from taking place. It is your responsibility to notify your School/College of any Extenuating Circumstances, which you feel will affect, or may have affected, your performance in any summative assessment.
Remember, any application you make has to be approved and may not be granted.
Students can apply for Extensions, Mitigating Circumstances or Interruption of Studies for all forms of summative assessment. You can also apply for Mitigating Circumstances for reassessment opportunities offered by the relevant Progression and/or Award Board (Assessment Board). However, Short/Long Extensions will not normally be allowed for reassessment because of the need for timely progression to the next stage at the beginning of the academic year.
It is important that you discuss your situation with a tutor who will be able to provide guidance on the most appropriate course of action. In circumstances which are likely to affect your progress over a longer time period, you may be advised to suspend your studies until the circumstances no longer have an impact on your studies.
The following points will help you when submitting an application:
Do
. Review the grounds for applying for extenuating circumstances (see Appendix 1 of the Extenuating Circumstances Regulations). . Seek guidance from your Programme Manager or Personal Tutor if you are experiencing difficulties in completing your work on time. . Meet with a tutor prior to the submission/examination date. . Discuss with a tutor whether an extension would be appropriate and if so, what type. . Request an extension where you are unable to meet the deadline. . Submit an application that covers all module assessments you are taking during the period of difficulty. . Submit the application prior to the submission/examination date and for claims of Mitigating Circumstances within 14 days from the submission or examination date.
Page | 26 . Complete all sections of the form. . Include evidence to support your application. . Make sure that you have received a receipt from your School/College when you submit your application.
Don’t
. Apply for mitigating circumstances if you have been granted a long extension for the same set of circumstances. . Apply for any formative assessment pieces of assessment that do not count to your overall module mark. . Use evidence that is undated or solely from family members supporting your application. You have to provide independent evidence.
Extension and Mitigation forms are available on Google Classrooms (Tutorial Classroom) and must be submitted to the Programme Manager in C3.15 University Centre.
5.10 Reassessment
If you have submitted an in-course assessment by the defined hand-in deadline and are deemed by the Module Leader not to have passed the assessment (but it is considered that you have made a genuine attempt), you may be allowed to undertake further work on the assessment prior to the work being formally considered by a Module Assessment Board. Only one reassessment opportunity is possible for any in- course assessment component.
Suitable feedback will be provided to students who are offered a reassessment and a hand-in deadline will be set for the reassessment.
Key points
Always submit something for every assessment. You must attempt all assessments at the first opportunity. You must do each assessment (essay, project, report, portfolio etc.) for every module. You should do this even if you don’t think you can fully complete them. You do not have an automatic right to resit or to repeat a year of study. The maximum mark that can be awarded for reassessed components is 40%.
See the Teesside University Assessment Regulations for full details:
http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=Student%20Regulations
Select ‘Framework for Assessment, Award and Progression Regulations’.
Page | 27 6 Academic and student regulations
6.1 Where can I find the University’s academic regulations?
Your progression from level 4 to level 5 and achievement at level 5, your graduation and classification, are all subject to satisfying the University’s assessment and progression regulations. These regulations are available on Teesside University’s website:
http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=Student%20Regulations
Select ‘Framework for Assessment, Award and Progression Regulations’. There is also a section explaining ‘Academic Appeal’ Regulations and student complaints procedures. If you have any difficulty accessing or understanding the information, please discuss this with one of your lecturers.
6.2 What is Academic Misconduct?
What follows is only a brief summary of the University’s Academic Misconduct procedure and should be read in conjunction with the Regulations relating to Academic Misconduct (Taught Components and Programmes) available at:
http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=student
Select ‘Student Regulations’ then ‘University Academic Misconduct Regulations’.
You are strongly recommended to read those Regulations. They provide a detailed explanation of academic misconduct, the procedures which must be followed when an academic misconduct offence is suspected and the possible penalties.
In order to avoid academic misconduct, the University is committed to continually educating its students on how to develop good academic practice and writing skills. The following support is available and it is recommended that you take advantage of this:
Advice and guidance from The SU Link based in the Students’ Union http://www.tees-su.org.uk/sulink The Learning Hub (formerly DISSC), where academic tutors provide writing and study skills support http://lis.tees.ac.uk/ Facility for students and staff to use plagiarism e:detection software Briefings on academic misconduct provided at student induction events and during relevant modules
Academic misconduct is defined by the University as any activity or attempted activity which gives an unfair advantage to one or more students over their peers and is treated very seriously.
To ensure that students are treated fairly and equitably, academic misconduct is divided into the following three types:
Academic Negligence: This is regarded as the least serious offence and covers first time minor offences. It includes plagiarism that is small in scale, not related to the
Page | 28 work of other students, and which is considered to have resulted from ignorance or carelessness.
Academic Malpractice: This covers extensive paraphrasing of material with no acknowledgement of the source, systematic failure to reference, submitting work which has already been submitted for another assignment, and subsequent cases of Academic Negligence.
Academic Cheating: This is regarded at the most serious offence and covers Plagiarism in dissertations/final year projects/taught doctorate modules, collusion with other students, theft, commissioning/purchasing work, falsification of results/data, and all examination irregularities.
If suspected of academic misconduct, you will be required to attend either an informal or formal meeting and if subsequently found guilty, you will receive a penalty, the most serious of which can be exclusion from the University. The processes and penalties are described in Appendix 2 of the Regulations. If you are found guilty of academic misconduct after the end of your course, any award that you have received may be withdrawn. This can be done after you have graduated.
The University has an Exceptional Cases Procedure, which can be used when it is suspected that a piece of work submitted by a student is not their own work. You could be interviewed to determine the authorship of work. You are therefore strongly advised to retain materials used in developing work.
The following tips may help you to avoid academic misconduct:
Do
. Familiarise yourself with the regulations and penalties that can be incurred. For professional programmes, a single case of academic misconduct may result in you being discontinued from your course. . Make sure that you know how to correctly acknowledge other people’s work or opinions, and get feedback from your Tutor on whether or not you are doing this correctly. . Take care when making notes from books or articles. Always keep a record of whether your notes are a paraphrase of the source or a direct quotation, so that you don’t inadvertently include quotes without proper acknowledgement (this is a frequently cited reason students give when accused of academic misconduct). . Seek support from your Module or Personal Tutor if you are experiencing difficulties in completing your work on time.
Don’t
. Cut and paste (or reproduce) chunks of material from electronic sources or books/articles (even if you acknowledge the source, material not stated as being a direct quotation will make you vulnerable to an accusation of academic misconduct). . Loan your work to other students (if it is then copied, you may be accused of academic misconduct). . Borrow work from current or previous students. . Submit the same work for different assessments.
Page | 29 . Get someone else to do your work (essay-writing web sites don’t always keep their promises and have been known to inform universities of students who have purchased work).
6.3 Are there any regulations relating to use of social media?
Social media provides wonderful opportunities for life and for learning. The term social media describes the online tools, websites and services that people use to share content, profiles, opinions, insights, experiences, perspectives and media itself. These tools include social networks, blogs, message boards, podcasts, microblogs, lifestreams, social bookmarking, wikis and vlogs. The feature that all these tools, websites and services have in common is that they allow conversations and online interactions between groups of people. These guidelines are not intended to deter individuals from using these communication tools but are necessary to help protect staff and students and to prevent them damaging the college either inadvertently or intentionally.
All students should be aware that failure to follow these guidelines could lead to disciplinary action, and in more serious cases could be considered gross misconduct and may lead to exclusion.
Leeds City College is committed to the responsible use of social media. The College may routinely monitor social media and it reserves the right to instruct relevant parties to remove unauthorised sites. Any information posted on social media sites must comply with the Data Protection Act.
For further information and full details please refer to the Student IT and Social Networking Policy which can be found on the Student Intranet.
6.4 Are there any regulations relating to research?
All work related and research projects will have to be agreed by your tutor to make sure that your plans conform to the College’s Research Ethics Guidelines. These can be found on Google Classroom.
Page | 30 7 Quality Control
The course is not subject to an external examination regime. All student work is continually assessed by the lecturers and is subject to internal and external moderation.
A range of checks and safeguards is in place to ensure that that the qualification you receive at the end of the course continues to be acceptable to the College, HE institutions and employers.
The Awarding Body is Teesside University. In order to be able to offer this qualification, the College has to gain approval from the university, meeting strict criteria on things like staffing, resources and quality systems. Teesside University monitors the quality of the awards through a range of measures including an Annual Quality Monitoring visit at which student representatives provide their feedback on the programmes. The College is also subject to inspections undertaken by the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) in order to ensure that prescribed quality standards are being maintained.
Finally all of your tutors will have been observed in action by the College’s Learning Observation Team. All Leeds City College tutors have to be observed annually.
7.1 End of Year Procedures
Once you have completed all of your assessments and these have been marked, moderated and seen by the External Examiner, your tutor will compile your mark profile. These profiles will then be submitted to the Module Assessment Board.
The Module Assessment Board looks at the mark profiles of each student and will make a decision as to whether you can progress onto the next level or whether you have passed the course.
NB. If you have not paid your fees in full your profile will not be presented to the Module Assessment Board and you will not be able to proceed into the second year or receive your award.
Within 10 days of the Board, the Chair of the Module Assessment Board will write to you informing you of the decision of the Board and will give you a copy of your grade profile. If you, when you consider your grade profile, you think you might have grounds to request an Academic Appeal (see the Academic Appeal Regulations for information relating to grounds) you must initially engage in an informal discussion with the Dean of Higher Education within 20 days of the results being published (not 20 days after receiving your results). Any issues that cannot be resolved through an informal discussion may result in the submission of an application for an Academic Appeal – please see the Teesside University Regulations for further information. http://www.tees.ac.uk/docs/index.cfm?folder=Student%20Regulations
Select ‘Academic Regulations’ and then ‘Academic Appeal Regulations.’
A results list will also be published on your course notice board within 3 working days of the Assessment Board sitting. This is the official publicising of the results and the
Page | 31 appeal time runs from this date. The result list will use student numbers rather than student names so other students will not know your results.
N.B. It is your responsibility to ensure that your Programme Manager has your correct address. The College will not be responsible for results which are sent to old addresses if you have not updated your contact details. If you do not receive your results within the agreed time it is your responsibility to contact the Higher Education Registrar Co-ordinator on (0113 2162563) to obtain a replacement letter.
7.2 Programme specification
A programme specification is a concise description of your course’s aims and objectives and how you will be taught and assessed to achieve the required learning outcomes. It includes information on admissions, course structure and the maintenance of academic standards. This can be found on your Google Classroom Page.
7.3 External Examiners
Students often ask questions about how we know that their degree is broadly of the same standard as degrees awarded for similar courses by other universities. In the UK we have a system called external examining which is one of several ways that we confirm that standards are met. An external examiner is generally an experienced lecturer from another university who offers an independent view as to whether the work of students on the course is of the correct standard. The external examiner does this by looking at a sample of work (e.g. assignments, exam answers, dissertations), discussing the work with your lecturers and attending the assessment boards to endorse results. They then produce an annual report which tells us about any concerns they have and any good practice they have identified. The external examiners’ reports are made available to students on the VLE.
The main external examiner for your course is David Rigg and they work at Manchester Metropolitan University. Sometimes, your modules may have a different external examiner and your module leader can provide details on request.
Please note that students are not permitted to contact external examiners directly and external examiners will not respond to any communication from individual students. If you have any concerns about your course then please speak to your Programme Manager.
8 Have your say
Page | 32 8.1 Student course representatives
Our College is committed to ensuring that the views of students are heard and responded to. This is partly achieved through course-level student course representatives, which are recruited across all courses.
Each course will elect a representative whose responsibility it will be to represent the course group at Course Committee meetings.
Course Committee meetings are an essential part of the College’s quality assurance process and provide opportunities for both staff and students to use a range of feedback and indicators to ensure that issues affecting students on the course are promptly dealt with alongside s broader discussion of academic matters.
Course Committee meetings will take place twice per academic year – dates for your Course Committee meetings are:
Tuesday 8th October 2016 – 12pm Tuesday 7th March 2107 – 12pm
Course Representatives will also be invited to a Student Pathway meeting in May. This provides an opportunity for all Leeds City College Higher Education Student Representatives to meet with the Higher Education Academic Registrar to discuss issues and share good practice.
Our College and the Students’ Union work together to raise awareness of student academic representation and to provide training and development for elected representatives. The Students’ Union can be contacted on 0113 2162215 or can be found in the Student Union Area.
8.2 Module evaluation
We value your feedback. Our College undertakes module evaluations to give you the opportunity to tell us what you think about module delivery, assessments and the learning resources available to you. We are interested in hearing about areas that have exceeded your expectations as well as those that have not met your needs or requirements. There is also a free text comments section where you can submit additional remarks and suggestions.
Module evaluations are confidential and completed anonymously. This feedback is used at both course and faculty level so that the student experience can be continuously improved. By undertaking module evaluations, you can help us to refresh and revise our module delivery to enhance the learning experience and continue to improve upon our academic provision.
8.3 Your feedback
There are many ways that you can tell us about your experience here at our College. The Students’ Union runs regular meetings where you can come along, meet students from other courses, and discuss your concerns with members of staff from across all faculties and services.
The faculty will also organise a Course Committee meeting to cover your course and level twice yearly, where you can give feedback on your experience of the course to a
Page | 33 range of academic staff. Any issues noted at these groups will be fed into the formal monitoring and review process.
If you are entering into your final year you may also be invited to participate in the National Student Survey. This is a survey for all final year students in all universities in England and the results are made public to help prospective students make choices about where and what to study. Again these results are used by staff on your course to make improvements and to share good practice. Your feedback matters – so take these opportunities to get involved.
8.4 What happens with my feedback?
We take your comments very seriously and you can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the Students’ Union, your tutors or Google Classroom. The faculty also provides updates on action taken through the “You said, We did” posters prominently displayed around our College.
We have recently altered the structure of level 6 modules to reflect student feedback on ‘bunching’ of assignments. We have also changed the format of assessments at levels 4 and 5 following student feedback.
8.5 How would I make a complaint?
We take your comments very seriously and you can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the Students’ Union, your tutors or Google Classroom. The faculty also provides updates on action taken through the “You said, We did” posters prominently displayed around our College.
We have recently changed the structure of level 6 modules to reflect student feedback on ‘bunching’ of assignments.
9 Where to get help
9.1 Student Support
We take your comments very seriously and you can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the Students’
Page | 34 Union, your tutors or Google Classroom. The faculty also provides updates on action taken through the “You said, We did” posters prominently displayed around our College.
We have recently changed the structure of level 6 modules to reflect student feedback on ‘bunching’ of assignments.
9.2 The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
All programmes are supported by the College’s VLE which provides a range of resources, activities and information for students. The College utilises Google Classroom as a VLE and you will find that there is a section that provides general information, made available to all Higher Education students, in addition to a programme specific area, which only students on your programme will have access to. It is important that you familiarise yourself with both areas to ensure that you have access to all the relevant information you need.
9.3 Students’ Union advice
If you need independent advice, information or representation, the Students’ Union Advice Service provides a free, confidential and non-judgemental advice service.
The service is staffed by professionals, who are specialists in providing information and advice on all regulations, policies and procedures, including academic appeals, student complaints, disciplinary hearings, cheating and plagiarism.
9.4 Safety, health and well-being
Fire safety procedures
Fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility. You can help to prevent fires by:
Good housekeeping Safe use of electrical and gas appliances Observing our College no-smoking policy
Fire information
Fire information is present on Fire Action Notices displayed in all College buildings. These are normally present in corridors or inside classrooms.
They inform you of the appropriate action to take, the location of the nearest Fire Alarm Call Point, the location of fire fighting equipment and the location of fire assembly points.
All fire exit routes are clearly identified. You should take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the location of fire exit routes and fire assembly points for the buildings that you may use in the course of your studies.
If you discover a fire
Page | 35 If you discover a fire, you should sound the alarm by operating the Fire Alarm Call Point. You should report the circumstances and site of fire by calling 999 – indicated on the Fire Action Notice.
Do not tackle the fire unless you have been trained to do so. Evacuate the building to the fire assembly point indicated on the Fire Action Notice. Do not re-enter the building until officially authorised to do so.
Fire evacuation
On hearing the Fire Alarm, everyone should proceed calmly to the nearest available safe fire exit, as indicated by the green and white fire exit signage. Please assist visitors.
Follow the route to get out of the building and continue on to the fire assembly point so as not to impede the remaining evacuees exiting the building.
Take appropriate action to assist mobility impaired persons or wheelchair users to a safe refuge.
Do not stop to collect belongings and do not try to leave by your usual entry route unless this is the way indicated by the escape signs. Do not attempt to use the lifts. Do not restrict emergency service access routes. Do not re-enter building until officially authorised to do so
Evacuation is practised through fire drills. However, you should regard any continuous sounding of the alarm as a fire incident and act accordingly.
Disabled students
You are expected to declare any disability that would affect your safety in the event of a fire, e.g. hearing impairment or the use of a wheelchair.
If you are referred to the Disability Adviser, a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be developed for you, as appropriate.
First Aid
First Aid Notices (green and white) are displayed in all College buildings alongside the Fire Action Notices (predominantly blue and white) and alongside, or adjacent to, each First Aid box. Each first Aid Notice gives the following information:
The location and contact number of the nearest First Aiders(s) The location of the nearest First Aid box The College emergency telephone number 3333 (Park Lane campus – for other campus’ please check Other emergency contact numbers
The names and telephone numbers of the nearest First Aiders can also be obtained from the Health and Safety team on 2166334.
Page | 36 Accident and incident reporting
All accidents, incidents and dangerous occurrences must be reported to, and recorded by College staff.
Accident report forms (HS1) are available on the intranet.
Policy statement
Leeds City College Corporation accepts both moral and legal responsibility as an employer to ensure; so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of all its employees. The College will ensure to conduct its undertakings in such a way that persons not in direct college employment (i.e. students, contractors and members of the general public) who may be affected, are not exposed to risks to their safety and health. In addition, the College will actively endeavour to limit the adverse affects on the environment in which operations are carried out.
All safety, health and welfare matters will be treated as a management responsibility equal to that of any other managerial function.
Leeds City College Corporation is committed to continuous improvement in health and safety performance and to attaining the highest possible practice standards throughout the college.
Appendix 1 College Calendar 2016-17
Colleg Commence Prog. e Note s Monday Week Week
1 1-Aug-16
Page | 37 2 8-Aug-16
3 15-Aug-16 A Level Results Day (Thursday, 18 August)
GCSE Results Day (Thursday, 25 August) – full 4 22-Aug-16 departmental coverage for enrolment required
Bank Holiday – College closed Monday, 29 August 2016 5 29-Aug-16 All teaching staff back in college on Tuesday, 30 August 2016
6 5-Sep-16
7 12-Sep-16 HE Enrolment and Induction
8 19-Sep-16 Semester 1 starts 1
9 26-Sep-16 2
10 3-Oct-16 3
11 10-Oct-16 4
12 17-Oct-16 5 Staff Development Day (Friday, 21 October)
13 24-Oct-16 October Half Term
14 31-Oct-16 6
15 7-Nov-16 7
16 14-Nov-16 8
17 21-Nov-16 9
18 28-Nov-16 10
19 5-Dec-16 11
20 12-Dec-16 12
21 19-Dec-16 Christmas Holidays
Bank Holidays – 26 and 27 December 2016
22 26-Dec-16 Christmas Holidays – College closed Wednesday, 28 December 2016 to Friday, 30 December 2016
23 2-Jan-17 Bank Holiday – Monday, 2 January 2017 (New Year’s 13 Day)
Page | 38 All Staff Development Day – Tuesday, 3 January 2017
College open Wednesday, 4 January 2017
24 9-Jan-17 14
25 16-Jan-17 15
26 23-Jan-17 Semester 2 starts 1
27 30-Jan-17 2
Colleg Commence Prog. e Note s Monday Week Week
28 6-Feb-17 Mitigation Panel 3
29 13-Feb-17 February Half Term
Staff Development Day – Monday, 20 February 30 20-Feb-17 4
31 27-Feb-17 Exam Boards 5
32 6-Mar-17 6
33 13-Mar-17 7
34 20-Mar-17 8
35 27-Mar-17 9
Term continues (Keighley only) 36 3-Apr-17 Easter Holidays (Leeds sites only)
Easter Holidays (all sites)
37 10-Apr-17 Bank Holiday (Good Friday) – College Closed, Friday, 14 April 2017
Bank Holiday (Easter Monday) – College Closed, Monday, 17 April 2017
38 17-Apr-17 Easter Holidays (Keighley only)
Start of Summer Term (Leeds sites only) 18 April 10 2017
39 24-Apr-17 Start of Summer Term (Keighley only) 11
40 1-May-17 Bank Holiday – College closed on Monday, 1 May 2017 12
Page | 39 41 8-May-17 13
42 15-May-17 14
43 22-May-17 15
Bank Holiday – College closed on Monday 29 May 2017 44 29-May-17 Half Term
45 5-Jun-17
46 12-Jun-17 Mitigation Panel
47 19-Jun-17
48 26-Jun-17 Exam Boards
Self-assessment, Development and Well-being 49 3-Jul-17 Week
50 10-Jul-17
51 17-Jul-17
52 24-Jul-17
COLLEGE CLOSURE DATES: PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Monday 29th August 2016 (Bank Holiday) Sunday 25th December 2016 (Christmas Day) 26th and 27th December 2016 (Bank Holidays) Monday 2nd January 2017 (Bank Holiday) Wednesday 28th December 2016 – Wednesday 4th January 2017 (College Closure Days) Friday 14th April 2017 (Good Friday) Monday 17th April 2017 (Easter Monday) Monday 1st May 2017 (May Day Bank Holiday) Monday 29th May 2017 (Spring Bank Holiday) College sites may close for additional days. This will be confirmed at enrolment.
NOTES: The College main sites will be closed for the days stated above and also to students on the Staff Development Days. Some programmes may vary from the 2 semester calendar. Students will be informed of these dates at the start of their programme. Students may take additional leave for festival days associated with their practised religion. Tutors must be notified in advance.
Page | 40 Appendix 2
Outcome Key Level 4
K2 K3 K4 C1 C2 C3 P1 P2 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Criminal Law A A A A A
Citizen and the State A A A A
Law of Contract A A A A A A
Legal Foundations A A A A A
Law of Tort A A A A A
Professional A A A A A Development
Outcome Key Level 5
K2 K3 K4 C1 C2 C3 P1 P2 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Equity and Trusts A A A A A
Human Rights A A A A A A Legal Research Method and Skills A A A A
Land Law A A A A A A A
European Union Law A A A A A A A
Work Related Learning A A A A A Outcome Key Level 6
K1 K2 K3 K4 C1 C2 P1 P2 T1 T2 T3 Module Name
Dissertation A A A A A A
Client Care A A A
Civil Litigation A A A
Criminal Litigation A A A
Criminal Justice A A A
Family and Child Law A A A
Commercial Law A A A
Immigration Law A A A Appendix 3
Level 4 t t t t e d n n n n t o n n n r a o o o l i i i o o e e e a t t s p o N M
a a s m m m
t t B s n e u n
e i n n t s c s g e i e a e s n m a i t s s s o a m s C s i e s D
x
r s p A a g s E
p P o l r n u n u i e e c e o n v t e s r r i t e P i a G D r d e
l l
W a e n v i o t s c r e e l f P e R
Criminal 50% 50% Law 60 1500 minutes words
Citizen and 70% 30% the State 2100 15 words minutes
Law of 50% 50% Contract 1500 60 words minutes Task Task Task Task Legal 1 Part 2 2 Part 1 Part Foundations (b) Part (b) (a) 20% (a) 20% 30% 600 30% 900 words words Task Task Task 1 Law of Tort 2 1 Part Part (a) 20% (b) 60% 600 20% 20 words 600 minutes words
PD 60% 40% 1800 20 words minutes Level 5
t t t t n n
c e n n n n
o o g e i i v o e e e i n j i t t d
n t i s r r e o a a m m m c t r t s n a e s n t n e e r i i p n u l o e s t g r f a c i e P e a B m L e e s s t s s l i W a R s s R e s x D r a a W E P
Equity and 70% 30% Trusts 120 1200 minutes words
Human Rights 75% 25% 120 1000 minutes words
LRMS 60% 40% 2400 words 20 minutes
Land Law 20% 80% 800 words 120 minutes
EU Law 50% 50% 2000 words 90 minutes Task 1 Task 2 Task 2 WRL 60% Part (a) Part (b) 2400 20% 20% words 800 words 10 minutes Level 6 t l h n n n n c i n a c o o o o i i i i s r e n t t t m s o a e a a a e s m t e p t t t d n u n s i r o i n c a r r g e e i e s c m P s i R s s W A s a d s i e x r a D E P
Dissertation 80% 20% 8000 words 10 minute proposal
Commercial 70% 30% Law 3500 words 15 minutes
70% 30% Family and Child Law 120 minutes 15 minutes
70% 30% Criminal Justice 120 minutes 15 minutes
70% 30% Immigration Law 3500 words 15 minutes
30% 70% Civil Litigation 1500 words 120 minutes
70% Criminal 30% Litigation 1500 words 120 minutes
Client Care 70% 30% 3500 words 15 minutes Appendix 4
ASSESSMENT TIMETABLE
ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE LEVEL 4
Week SEMESTER 1 Week SEMESTER 2
1 16
2 17
3 18 Legal Foundations Case Citizen and the State Group 4 Note (30%) 900 words 19 Discussion (30%) 15 minutes
5 20 Criminal Law Discussion 6 21 Board (50%) 1500 words Legal Foundations Peer 7 Assessment (20%) 600 22 words Law of Contract Written 8 Assignment (50%) 1500 23 words Law of Tort Reflective Professional Development 9 Learning Statement 24 Group Discussion (40%) 20 (20%) 600 words minutes
10 25 Legal Foundations Citizen and the State Written 11 Reflective Learning 26 Assignment (70%) 2100 Statement (20%) 600 words words Law of Tort Presentation 12 (60%) 20 minutes 27 Legal Foundations (30%) 13 Moot 28 Law of Tort Personal Professional Development 14 Development Plan (20%) 29 Personal Development Plan 600 words (60%) 1800 words Law of Contract Criminal Law examination 15 examination (50%) 60 30 (50%) 60 minutes minutes ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE LEVEL 5
Week SEMESTER 1 Week SEMESTER 2
1 16
2 17
3 18
4 19 Legal Research Method and 5 20 Skills Presentation (40%) 20 minutes Work Related Learning European Union Law Written 6 Presentation (20%) 10 21 Assignment (50%) 2000 minutes words Human Rights Peer Equity and Trusts Discussion 7 Assessment (25%) 1000 22 Board (30%) 1200 words words
8 23
9 24 Land Law Reflective 10 Learning Statement (20%) 25 800 words
Work Related Learning 11 Project (60%) 2400 words 26
Work Related Learning 12 Reflective Learning 27 Statement (20%) 800 words Legal Research Method and 13 28 Skills Written Assignment (60%) 2400 words Human Rights examination Equity and Trusts 14 (75%) 120 minutes 29 examination (70%) 120 minutes
Land Law examination European Union Law 15 (80%) 120 minutes 30 examination (50%) 90 minutes ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE LEVEL 6
Week SEMESTER 1 Week SEMESTER 2
1 16
2 17
3 18
4 19 Criminal Justice presentation 5 (30%) 15 minutes 20 Immigration Law academic discussion (30%) 15 minutes Commercial Law academic 6 discussion (30%) 15 minutes 21 Family and Child Law presentation (30%) 15 minutes
7 22 Dissertation research proposal Client Care written 8 (20%) 10 minutes 23 assessment (70%) 3500 words
9 24 Criminal Litigation written Civil Litigation written 10 assessment (30%) 1500 25 assessment (30%) 1500 words words Immigration Law written 11 assessment (70%) 3500 26 words Client Care academic discussion (30%) 15 minutes Commercial Law written 12 assessment (70%) 3500 27 words Criminal Justice examination Dissertation (80%) 8000 13 (70%) 120 minutes 28 words Family and Child Law examination (70%) 120 minutes
14 29 Criminal Litigation Civil Litigation examination 15 examination (70%) 120 30 (70%) 120 minutes minutes